ES2237657T3 - BUMPER SET AND A RIGID IMPACT BAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The fender/impact bar assembly, consisting of a fender shell (2) and a rigid impact bar (3) with its central section (15) set at a reduced height behind the shell to limit injuries to pedestrians, has the ends (18) of the bar attached to the sides (7) of the fender by means of inner reinforcing members (21) with sleeves (27) for the bar ends. The impact bar is in the form of a metal or plastic tube with zones (19) of reduced resistance.

Description

Bumper set and a rigid bar impact for motor vehicles.

The present invention relates to a set for a motor vehicle comprising a bumper cover and a rigid impact bar, of which at least one central segment is arranged behind the bumper cover in relation to the direction of travel of the vehicle, to form a lower area of percussion of the tibia of a pedestrian, comprising the cover of the bumper a front center part and two side parts that extend the front center back.

In a set of the aforementioned type, the bar impact allows you to hit a pedestrian under the knee and more exactly at the level of your tibia. The risks of serious injuries in the knees of a percussed pedestrian are thus reduced.

Such a set allows us to satisfy future ones regulations aimed at limiting the injuries inflicted on pedestrians in case of frontal crash at low speed.

The behavior of a motor vehicle it should also satisfy certain adverse conditions in current type shocks, and therefore the so-called shock of "reparability" or "Danner" at 15 km / h against a obstacle.

When such a crash occurs, the chassis of a vehicle and in particular its stringers should not deform plastically We will say more generally than the cost of repairs induced by this frontal crash should be limited.

A set of the cited type is known by the WO-00/58 144. The rigid impact bar It is formed there by a fairing located under the engine. This piece it is a part of the engine support intended to close lower The engine compartment.

In this set, the rigid impact bar does not It is mounted on the stringers of the chassis and does not transmit them effort to produce a "reparability" shock.

However, when such a shock occurs, it can check that the fairing under the engine is under stress important that lead to damage.

Now, such a structural part of the vehicle is particularly expensive Repair of a vehicle equipped with such a set after a reparability shock is thus still too expensive

An object of the invention is to solve this problem, providing a set of the type cited that facilitates lower repair costs when a collision occurs reparability

For this purpose, the invention aims at a cited type set, characterized in that the impact bar it is mounted on the side parts of the roof of the bumper.

According to particular embodiments, the set can comprise one or more of the features following, taken alone or in all sets technically possible:

- the impact bar is mounted on each side part by means of a reinforcement piece fixed laterally inside said side part.
teral,

- the impact bar comprises ends by which it is mounted on the side parts of the bumper cover,

- each reinforcement piece comprises a sleeve receiving one end of the impact bar,

- the ends of the impact bar are located at a level higher than the central segment of the bar impact,

- the impact bar comprises smaller areas resistance,

- the impact bar comprises a tube,

- the tube is metallic, and

- the assembly also comprises a grid of protection of a radiator, at least one part being arranged bottom of the grid between the center segment of the bar impact and bumper cover.

The object of the invention is also a vehicle automobile comprising an anterior longitudinal end, characterized in that it comprises a set as is defined above assembled to the anterior longitudinal end.

The object of the invention is also a vehicle construction procedure as defined above, characterized in that it comprises the stages of:

- supply a set as defined, and after

- assemble said assembly to the previous end of a motor vehicle.

The invention will be better understood by reading of the description that follows, given only by way of example, and made with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view in perspective of an assembly according to the invention,

- Figure 2 is a schematic view in perspective illustrating the impact bar of the whole of the Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a partial schematic section taken following the plane III-III of figure 1, Y

- Figure 4 is a schematic section longitudinal and partial of the front end of a motor vehicle equipped with the assembly of figure 1.

Throughout the text that follows, the terms "previous", "posterior", "right", "left", "upper", "lower" and "longitudinal" should understand each other in relation to the position of a driver and the sense of the motor vehicle. This sense is materialized by arrow N in figures 1 and 4.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an assembly 1 intended to equip the anterior longitudinal end of a motor vehicle

Set 1 has a structure and a shape substantially symmetrical in relation to a longitudinal plane vertical and medium

This set 1 mainly comprises a bumper cover 2 and a rigid impact bar 3.

The bumper cover 2 is one piece made for example by molding of plastic material. Cover 2 comprises an anterior central part or shield 6 and two parts laterals or cross-sections 7. Cross-sections 7 extend the ends shield sides 6 back so that cover 2 presents in a superior view the shape of an open U backward.

Classically, shield 6 presents seen from above a curved shape of backward directed concavity. Further, the shield 6 comprises a lower zone or spoiler 9 and a zone top 10. An opening 11 is provided in shield 6 between the spoiler 9 and the upper zone 10 to allow the passage of a air flow intended to sweep the vehicle radiator car.

This opening 11 is covered by a grid 13 in the form of a grid. Said grid 13 is arranged behind shield 6 and fixed to it in a classical way to Cover and protect the radiator.

As illustrated more particularly by the Figure 2, the impact bar 3 is constituted by a tube bent. The tube 3 is made for example with aluminum and It has a circular running section.

The tube 3 comprises:

- a curved central bottom tube 15 for present a backward directed concavity and thus an outline corresponding substantially to that of spoiler 9 of shield 6,

- two oblique intermediate segments 17 that prolong the lower central segment 15 and that are inclined upwards and laterally outwards, and

- two ends 18 that extend the segments intermediate 17 backwards and extending substantially in horizontal.

A zone of least resistance 19 is arranged by local crushing of tube 3 between each end 18 and the corresponding intermediate segment 17, at the level of the elbow, allowing end 18 to extend horizontally, while that the oblique segment 17 is inclined relative to a plane horizontal.

The set 1 further comprises two plates 21 of crosshead reinforcement 7 of deck 2.

Given the cited symmetry, we will only describe the plate 21 left, in relation to figures 1 and 3.

Plate 21 on the left is for example made with plastic material, comprising a reinforcement load, for example a load of glass fibers.

The plate 21 extends laterally through the inside of the crosshead 7 noticeably at full height of the latter.

Moreover, it extends from the edge rear 23 of crosshead 7 forward. The upper zone 25 of the left reinforcement plate 21 extends forward, substantially up to shield 6.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the plate reinforcement 21 sensibly house with the shape of crosshead 7 left and is applied against crosshead 7, except at the level of an inward discontinuity 26 of plate 21. Plate 21 comprises at the level of this discontinuity 26 a cylindrical sleeve circular 27 of horizontal axis. The sleeve 27 flows into front and back. The discontinuity 26 further comprises a stop 28 arranged behind the sleeve 27.

The plate 21 also has two pins bottom 29 by thread fixing to bottom edge 31 of the crosshead 7 left.

In the set 1 of figure 1, the bar impact 3 is arranged inside the cover 2 of the bumper, extending behind its shield 6.

In addition, each of the ends 18 of the bar 3 they are received in the sleeve 27 of a reinforcement plate 21 and are lean from behind against the corresponding stop 28. A screw transverse 33 eventually crosses the wall of the sleeve 27 and the corresponding end 18 to support them.

The lower center segment 15 of the bar 3 is extends behind and inside spoiler 9.

As can be seen in figures 1 and 4, the grid 13 comprises two lower organs of automatic pressure adjustment 35 spaced transversely to each other. These two organs 35 are extend down into spoiler 9 to receive the lower segment 15 of bar 3, by elastic coupling and hold it in relation to the cover 2.

In addition, and as illustrated by Figure 4, the automatic pressure adjustment organs 35 have a projection front 36 of support on spoiler 9. Each projection 36 is left disposed between zone 37 located further ahead of spoiler 9 and the lower central segment 15 of the bar 3, resting on These two pieces.

The set 1 is intended to equip the end previous 39 of a motor vehicle, as illustrated by the figure 4.

The front end 39 comprises behind the spoiler 9 the support 45 of the engine of which only Schematized a piece.

In addition, the anterior longitudinal end 39 of the motor vehicle comprises behind the upper zone 10 of the bumper cover 2, successively from front to back:

- a first shock absorber 47, which extends transversely substantially across the width of shield 6 of the cover 2 and which is for example made of foam,

- a bumper bar 49, which extends transversely, substantially over the entire width of shield 6 and which can be made with a plastic material eventually reinforced with a load or with metal,

- two second shock absorbers 51, one only of which is visible in figure 4, being arranged these two shock absorbers 51 next to each other and attached each to the front end of one of the two stringers 53 of the vehicle chassis

The lower center segment 15 of the bar impact 3 shape with the projections 36 of the adjustment bodies automatic pressure 35 and the front area 37 of spoiler 9 a first lower percussion zone 55.

The upper bar 49 forms with the absorber of crashes 47 and the upper zone 10 of the front shield 6 a second upper percussion zone 57.

In case of frontal collision with a pedestrian, the area lower percussion 55 comes into contact with tibia 59 of the leg 60 or each leg 60 of the pedestrian (figure 4).

The second impact zone 57 enters in contact with the knee 61. These entries in contact with the tibia and knee occur simultaneously since the second percussion zone 57 is located in the vertical of the first zone of percussion 55, since the projections 36 allow to cover the clearance between central segment 15 and spoiler zone 37 9.

As shock absorber 47 is less rigid that the impact bar 3 and that the projections 36 of the organs of automatic pressure adjustment 35, the upper percussion zone 57 then backs off the lower percussion zone.

It can be verified that the bending suffered by knee 61 is less than 15º, so the damage inflicted on Knee 61 are reduced. The set 1 thus compensates the charges of the crash with the pedestrian. It will be noted that this result could be obtained by percussion of the leg 60 by the upper percussion zone 57 under the knee 61.

In the event of a crash with reparability, the Shock absorbers 47 and 51 absorb shock energy, thus ensuring that the chassis of the vehicle and in particular the stringers 53 do not suffer plastic deformation, as it is already known.

As regards the bottom of the front end 39 of the motor vehicle, all efforts suffered by the impact bar 3 when such a shock occurred with reparability are assumed by the lateral crosspieces 7 and the plates reinforcement 21 and are not transmitted to structural elements such as parts of the engine mount 45, such as the cowl under the engine. This absorption of efforts is ensured by the support of the ends 18 of the bar 3 transversely and vertically on the sleeves 27 and by longitudinal backward support on the stops 28. The assembly of the bar 3 on the cross members 7 thus allows limit repair costs after a crash with reparability

On the other hand, when such a shock occurs, the bar 3 will be folded to the level of the areas of least resistance 19, of so that the lower center segment 15 will retract. Such plastic deformation of the bar 3 also prevents transmit the efforts supported by bar 3 to parts of the vehicle other than those of set 1, for example the wings side of the body or the support elements of these wings, to the point of deforming them plastically or of break them

The set 1 thus has a lower segment 15 of impact bar 3 rigid enough to limit the wounds in case of collision with a pedestrian. Also keep in mind that bar 3 and in particular its connection with the rest of the motor vehicle are flexible enough to deform in a crash case with reparability, absorbing the essentials of the shock and without transmitting to structural elements of the vehicle efforts that produce damage.

Thus, in the event of a crash with reparability, the risks of damage to an expensive part of the vehicle other than set 1 are reduced at the bottom end longitudinal front 39 of the motor vehicle.

In addition, the impact bar 3 being made in the form of a tube mounted by coupling on the cross members 7, the cost of set 1 is particularly reduced.

On the other hand, this set 1 forms a module previously assembled that can be handled and transported easily, which simplifies the procedure of construction of the motor vehicle.

So, to build such a vehicle, it assemble assembly 1 first and then assemble it with the front end 39 of the motor vehicle. This mount can be secured in a classic way through posters or connecting squares of the upper edges of the crosspieces 7 at lateral wings of the vehicle body. In addition, the pins 29 also allow joining the lower edges of the crossarms 7 to the previous end 39.

It will also be noted that the projections 36 of the grid 13 allows to ensure that the lower percussion zone 55 is ahead of the upper percussion zone 57 in the course of a collision with a pedestrian, and therefore that solicitations exerted on the knee 61 remain acceptable.

In the example indicated this is achieved thanks to the fact that the lower percussion zone 55 is absent of a shock, in the vertical of the upper percussion zone 57.

However, it may be preferable for reasons aesthetics that the upper percussion zone 57 remains, in the absence of shock, located in front of the lower percussion zone 55. The behavior in case of collision with a pedestrian described above you will be satisfied, however, thanks to the choice of a suitable absorber 47.

In other variants, the projections 36 of the grid 13 will allow, in the absence of shock, that the lower zone of percussion 55 is arranged in front of the upper area of percussion 57.

It should be noted that the grid can comprise any number of automatic pressure adjustment organs 35 per example more than two or only one. Regardless of the number of automatic pressure adjustment organs 35, the articulation between the central segment 15 and zone 37 can be secured by one or more overhangs 36 extending over the essential part of the segment length 15. Thus, a single projection 36 can eventually be common to several organs 35.

In some variants, the bar 3 can have a section different from the one represented, it can be solid and / or it can be made of a non-metallic material, for example with material plastic.

In yet another variant, the reinforcing plates 21 they are constituted by the crosspieces 7, properly reinforced, by example by the presence of a glass fiber load.

Claims (11)

1. Assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a bumper cover (2) and a rigid impact bar (3), a central segment of at least the same (15) is arranged behind the bumper cover in relation to the direction of travel (M) of the vehicle, to form a lower area (55) of percussion of a pedestrian's tibia, the bumper cover (2) comprising a front central part (6) and two lateral parts ( 7) extending the front center part (6) back, characterized in that the impact bar (3) is mounted on the side parts (7) of the bumper cover (2). 2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the impact bar (3) is mounted on each side part (7) by means of a reinforcement piece (21) fixed laterally inside said side part (7). 3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the impact bar (3) comprises ends (18) by which it is mounted on the side parts (7) of the bumper cover (2). 4. Assembly according to claims 2 and 3 taken together, characterized in that each reinforcement piece (21) comprises a sleeve (27) for receiving one end (18) of the impact bar (3). 5. Assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the ends (18) of the impact bar are located at a level higher than the central segment (15) of the impact bar (3). 6. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact bar (3) comprises areas (19) of lower resistance
I had. 7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impact bar comprises a tube (3). 8. Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the tube (3) is metallic. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a protection grid (13) of a radiator, at least a lower part (36) of the grid (13) being arranged between the central segment (15) of the impact bar (3) and the bumper cover (2). 10. A motor vehicle comprising an anterior longitudinal end (39), characterized in that it comprises an assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, mounted on the anterior longitudinal end (39). 11. Method of building a vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - supply a set (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, and then - assemble said assembly (1) at the end previous (39) of a motor vehicle.